ICC World Cup: Psychologist helped David Warner stay calm

Sydney: Australian opener David Warner has said speaking to Australia's team psychologist helped him reclaim his composure and assisted in his quest to begin the World Cup campaign with a relaxed approach.

Australia's David Warner plays a defensive shot during a warm-up match vs India at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Pic/Getty Images

"I've actually spoken to my psychologist about it," Warner was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

"There (are) thoughts go into your head. You try and premeditate, you want to come down the wicket to the spinner; you want to sort of give yourself a little bit of room to the leg side off one of the quicks and try and hit him over backward point or something."

Warner said he has now understood he doesn't need to play on a high tempo mode from the beginning in an ODI match.

"I think I've had to learn now to play (ODIs) just like Test match cricket. Place it, try and hit the gaps. I can get myself off to a good start, I don't really need to take it to them," he added.

"I've just stated to learn that and I've found my way now. If the ball is still there and I want to hit it over the top, by all means I'll do that. But in my mind I'm saying to myself 'I can still score at a strike rate of 100, even if I bat properly.'"